A healthy lifestyle is important all year round, but it can feel easier in the summer months to be more active, feel more motivated (thanks to that Vitamin D-enhancing sun!), and simply do more than hibernate on the couch with a good book.
However, you still need to be mindful of the weather affecting your health for entirely different reasons in the summer! If you’re going to be outside while being active, always keep in mind the following precautions.
Warm weather exercise guide
· Avoid the hottest part of the day to do your exercise and if possible, stay in the shade when you do so.
· Drink water. You might not like the side-effect of always being on the lookout for the nearest bathroom, but our bodies function best when optimally hydrated!
· Wear light-coloured clothing made of breathable fibers.
· The most important thing you can wear is SPF! On your body, lips, and even your hair (if you’re not wearing a hat), a minimum of SPF 30 is recommended.
Watch for the following signs of heat exhaustion when exercising in warmer months: Nausea, dizziness, cramps, and headaches.
Good health starts with what you eat
We believe in healthy foods for a healthy mind-body-soul connection. It’s the foundation of our Living Loving Local dining program, in which seasonal fruits and vegetables are chosen for their freshness and health benefits. There’s a reason certain veg grows at certain times of the year; our bodies require different nutrients at different times! So this summer, pick what’s in season at your local grocery store (like cherries, raspberries, field-grown tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers) to nourish your body with what it needs most. Compliment with these top five superfoods for seniors, and you’re on your way to a healthful start to your active summer.
5 ways to stay active this summer, indoors and out
1. Routine morning or evening walks with your partner, dog, or friend are beneficial to the heart in a number of ways! Too hot where you live? Walk in the local mall.
2. Go swimming with the family. From the nearest beach to the local community center, get together weekly for a swim and reap the body-soul benefits.
3. Start a regular Yoga practice. Whether it’s in a shady spot in the backyard or the cool indoors, this mindful practice will help you ground into your day as well, ensuring those wonderful summer months don’t fly you by!
4. Light housework. We’re not kidding! From vacuuming to washing windows, you’ll benefit from the endorphins of sprucing up the place as well as the physical benefits. Want to get outdoors? From gardening to washing the car in the driveway, the benefits are bountiful.
5. Join a community gym or health club. Many offer senior-specific fitness classes, as well as the added bonus of introducing you to a like-minded community!
Go bowling, try your swing at Pickleball, golf, and water aerobics are all additional activities to get the heart pumping, mind open, and endorphins flowing. All of the above is also part of boosting your immune system which is just as important during the warmer months; “summer cold” compliments of the air conditioner, anyone?
Whatever you choose to do, do it with intention and gratitude, and you’ll find it becomes easier to make healthy living part of your lifestyle.
